Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[sinclaj]

We have two cruises booked and have not received this e-mail either.

 

However, we curiously received a "Welcome Back" e-mail yesterday. But our last cruise was in March. ????

[UandMe4Ever]

Interesting. NCL were pretty quick with their E-mail to you. I wonder how many future passengers after 1st November have received one. Anyway, if I don't receive any e-mail, I won't know anything about the change of policy and lets see how that goes when on the ship with an E.cig

 

Got our personal email notification... It's in the 'Wind' people...HAL FOLLOWING VERY SHORTLY''

[Orleanscruiser]

I saw on Norwegian's FB page that NCL is no longer allowing smoking on the balcony? Is this true? I know there are a lot of internet rumors, so I just wanted to ask before assuming anything. NCL didn't post it, but a few different people did. Thank you!

 

Just received this email from Ncl

 

Today at 1:32 PM

 

Smoking Policy Update. View in Browser

 

Cruise Like A Norwegian

Dear Valued Guest,

As the health and well-being of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, Norwegian Cruise Line will institute changes to its smoking policy for all sailings on or after November 1, 2014. The specific changes prohibit smoking on stateroom balconies and limit smoking in the casino to players. On Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, smoking on The Waterfront will be permitted on the starboard side, except by the outdoor dining areas.

You can view Norwegian's complete smoking policy HERE.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation and look forward to welcoming you on board your upcoming cruise.

Sincerely,

Norwegian Cruise Line

[gooch47]

Usually six chairs at a card game and you usually aren't allowed to stand. But I've been in NCL casinos where every chair and every slot is taken. So standing around and smoking might be perfectly legitimate.

 

Don't know why, but I really dislike the word "vape."

[EyeSeaEwe]

Glycerin and vanilla, no nicotine That's it.

 

Actually most ecigs utilize nicotine.

[margincall]

I received my e mail at about 3 pm today.

wonder if i am valued because i have a balcony-lol

[nbsjcruiser]

But still it is one person per slot and one person per blackjack/ dealer correct?

 

There isn't going to be a line 6 deep waiting for the slot or the spit at the table

 

Point is that Ncl has said active players only and they will enforce that

 

Why? Because the majority of cruisers will expect it to be enforced

 

Ncl is purposely saying do not think you are going to use the casino to just smoke. You are going to gamble or not be there

 

 

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Well, there's multiple players per blackjack dealer and table. As far as enforcing the rules, don't hold your breath. On the Pearl we witnessed a couple drop their two very young children off in the casino and let them fall asleep on the window ledges while they went about their business gambling. Despite several people rightfully complaining, they did bupkis about it so I suspect an extra few smokers who "look" like they might be playing a machine are certainly not going to be approached.

 

NCL really messed this up. They should have made more accommodations for smokers deckside while limiting it inside. The casino has the potential to turn into an opium den. I dont smoke but I see the need for an accommodation to be fair to everyone.

[nbsjcruiser]

Non smoker here, but we have never been bothered on our balcony from others smoking, but we have felt the amount of smoke in the casino. We feel bad for those smokers who enjoy smoking on their balconies, and we would rather have the smoke outside, than trapped in the casino.

And how about all those parents who want to put their children to bed, and sit outside with a smoke?? Leave the sleeping child to go to a designated area????

We still feel that designating some cabins on one side of the ship as smoking cabins, would of been fair to all.

Safe sailing

 

Well said.

[barcelo]

good decision but to bad It will not be in affect for the july 20 sailing as a non smoker :o

[SFO-F/A]

Thank Goodness NCL is implementing this policy.

I don't care who's making them do it!

 

I used to be a flight attendant in the day when smoking was allowed on planes. :D The most junior flight attendant had to work the aft galley near the smoking section, that was me! I could hardly breath. When I came home from work my uniform smelled like I had smoked a pack of cigs while sitting in a closet. Thank goodness no smoking was instituted on planes, not soon enough. I worked under those conditions for years!

 

I don't care if people smoke in the casino, I don't have to go in there.

I can stay away from the smoking areas on the ship.

 

We always book balconies and occasionally had to get off our balcony and close our door so our neighbors smoke didn't drift into our cabin.

I will be happy sitting on the balcony, smelling the fresh ocean air, without cigarette smoke drifting my way.

 

Thank you NCL!

 

Now I can enjoy my balcony

[prg2101]

So here is what I see happening.....cause inside cabin people do it. Ive seen it.....Balcony people are just gonna start smoking inside their cabin! Of the 7 cruises I have been on, I have smelled smoke walking down the hallway with inside cabins...the only thing I see here is prone for more fires in cabins because people are now smoking inside....

 

FYI-Im a smoker but only smoke on outside areas away from people...I like to be polite:D

[suz1607]

Just cancelled 3 cruises [ a total of 35 days] so you all non-smokers have at least 3 more lovely suites to choose from! Enjoy!

[EyeSeaEwe]

Non smoker here, but we have never been bothered on our balcony from others smoking, but we have felt the amount of smoke in the casino. We feel bad for those smokers who enjoy smoking on their balconies, and we would rather have the smoke outside, than trapped in the casino.

And how about all those parents who want to put their children to bed, and sit outside with a smoke?? Leave the sleeping child to go to a designated area????

We still feel that designating some cabins on one side of the ship as smoking cabins, would of (HAVE) been fair to all.

Safe sailing

 

No one is saying that smokers HAVE TO smoke in the casino. It is just one of the options that the smokers have. As for parents, how about they they put the health and welfare of their children above their addiction and just not smoke? The funniest part about all of this is that if NCL had banned smoking totally the smoking addicts would be screaming that just taking away the balconies woudl have been a 'fair compromise'.

[wvfrogg]

"Ain't" nobody gonna win this battle! And there are two legitimate sides to the question. When I smoked, my daughter would sigh and cough if I smoked on "her" balcony, so I went upstairs to the smoking area. I quit smoking 5 years ago -- while on the Pearl. I made the vow to always take the stairs and we were on the 14th deck. Thought I was going to die walking up from the 6th with my smoker's lungs. So I quit. Am still not sure how I "stayed quit" as I had tried quitting a hundred times. But I did.

 

That said, however, even on the cruises since then the only time smoke bothered me, really bothered me, was on the Epic in the Casino. I couldn't even stay long enough to really lose some money! Smokers have been on the balcony next to mine, and while I could catch a whiff of the smoke every once in awhile, it never really bothered me. I still enjoyed my balcony everyday.

 

I am just glad that all of the nastiness that we see here on the board doesn't carry over to the people on the ship. 99% of the cruisers are pleasant to be around. (I'm not always this nice as I am one of those people who will move things off the chair hogs chairs if they don't come back in 30 minutes -- and if they come back in an hour or two, I obviously have no idea who moved their stuff!)

 

If we can, let's just enjoy the luxury of being able to cruise. I guess I see this as a "luxury problem", one that most of the world would love to have!

 

Happy sailing.

 

Fran:)

[luvtheships]

Well, there's multiple players per blackjack dealer and table. As far as enforcing the rules, don't hold your breath. On the Pearl we witnessed a couple drop their two very young children off in the casino and let them fall asleep on the window ledges while they went about their business gambling. Despite several people rightfully complaining, they did bupkis about it so I suspect an extra few smokers who "look" like they might be playing a machine are certainly not going to be approached.

 

NCL really messed this up. They should have made more accommodations for smokers deckside while limiting it inside. The casino has the potential to turn into an opium den. I dont smoke but I see the need for an accommodation to be fair to everyone.

 

Nope one seated player per blackjack

 

Of course there are say 6 seats at the table to one dealer. Still a total if 7 at a table that accommodates 7

 

Now if the entire family is standing next to 1 player and all are smoking well um no

 

And how are they going to enforce it?

 

With all the hoopla they would be stupid not to enforce it

 

I am not litigious nor a conniver but as a non smoker you can bet I will complain if they don't enforce it. I won't be alone either

 

Ncl must provide the environment I paid for.

 

A lounge chair is not guaranteed

Weather is not guaranteed

 

However a smoke free balcony us guaranteed. And now so is a less smoky casino

 

Their rules not mine.

 

 

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[terrymtex01]

Smokers trust me.. there is no way they can prove you were smoking an ecig in your room or on your balcony. Just get a good high quality ecig and you will be fine. Ecigs do not smell like smoke. So join me and smoke an ecig all you want.. balcony or otherwise.

Edited July 16, 2014 by terrymtex01

[gemsm]

Because it is a cop out used to make people thnk that what they are doing is better/safer/different. :rolleyes:

 

Aw darn...too bad all research has proven it is better, safer, and different

[RDC1]

So here is what I see happening.....cause inside cabin people do it. Ive seen it.....Balcony people are just gonna start smoking inside their cabin! Of the 7 cruises I have been on, I have smelled smoke walking down the hallway with inside cabins...the only thing I see here is prone for more fires in cabins because people are now smoking inside....

 

FYI-Im a smoker but only smoke on outside areas away from people...I like to be polite:D

 

Smoker is prohibited in cabins, and is very very easily detected with a much greater negative impact on the steward (imagine the complaints from the next guest after a cruise with someone smoking in the cabin).

 

Far greater chance getting away with smoking on a balcony then in a cabin.

Edited July 16, 2014 by RDC1

[KeithJenner]

I always laugh when people comment on what companies say in their press releases. Of course they don't tell you the real reasons for the changes and try to dress it up as a benefit for the customer. This isn't an NCL thing, every company does it.

 

They really aren't going to release this are they?

 

"We've just got our insurance renewal quote in, and it's really really high. We had a word with the insurers and they said they'd give us a discount if we banned smoking on the balconies so that's what we're doing. We know that this isn't good news for a lot of you, but to be honest profits come first, so we're just going to do it."

[terrymtex01]

Smokers.. do not be alarmed.. Just get a good ecig and you will be fine. There is no way it can be proved you smoked yours inside your cabin. Mine smells like lemon/lime so I was having a gin and tonic with lime. Even on the balcony, you expel so little "smoke" who would be able to see it or detect it?

[sailingnut]

How will the no-smoking policy effect the October 27,2014 cruise for 11 days~~November 1st will be in the middle of me cruise!

[SFO-F/A]

I always laugh when people comment on what companies say in their press releases. Of course they don't tell you the real reasons for the changes and try to dress it up as a benefit for the customer. This isn't an NCL thing, every company does it.

 

They really aren't going to release this are they?

 

"We've just got our insurance renewal quote in, and it's really really high. We had a word with the insurers and they said they'd give us a discount if we banned smoking on the balconies so that's what we're doing. We know that this isn't good news for a lot of you, but to be honest profits come first, so we're just going to do it."

 

hahahahaha Best laugh of the day.

 

Thanks for making me laugh again as I read this to my DH!

[luvtheships]

Now you're telling people how to be a parent. You can't do that. This is 'murica.

 

Hey hey. It takes a village doesn't it?

 

Fwiw I am not letting the village elders brainwash my babies.

 

 

Has nothing to do with ncls smokings regs btw.

 

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Edited July 16, 2014 by luvtheships

[david_sobe]

I welcome the change but this could make the ship with more smoke in the casino. It says only players in the casino are allowed to smoke. I see that rule not easy to enforce. With so many smoking areas removed, I see everyone lighting up in the casino. You thought the casino was bad with smoke before? Wait until after November ;)

Edited July 16, 2014 by david_sobe

[luvtheships]

I always laugh when people comment on what companies say in their press releases. Of course they don't tell you the real reasons for the changes and try to dress it up as a benefit for the customer. This isn't an NCL thing, every company does it.

 

They really aren't going to release this are they?

 

"We've just got our insurance renewal quote in, and it's really really high. We had a word with the insurers and they said they'd give us a discount if we banned smoking on the balconies so that's what we're doing. We know that this isn't good news for a lot of you, but to be honest profits come first, so we're just going to do it."

 

I thought we all figured this out 2 days ago?

 

However, the health benefits to pax are nothing to sneeze at.

 

 

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